Chapter 9

"Christ….one fucking second Raven." He exclaimed and he whipped out his phone and started furiously putting in information. He did that a few more times and then put it back up and put his hand on my back. "Come on Tris will be waiting there." He muttered.

I frowned "Was there something wrong with all of that?"

He shook his head "No, a bit shocked but I guess I shouldn't be."

He didn't elaborate and we made our way to the level and corridor with the offices but he walked me past Tris' office and kept guiding me until he was ushering me through a door that led to the Control room. We walked to the back of the main area past all of the rows of monitors with the big monitor that had different views of the city all in small squares. He opened another door and it led to the conference room.

When we walked in Tris, Max, Andrea, and Leo…all leaders of Dauntless were there.

I looked at Tris and she didn't look worried, even gave me a small smile and nod of encouragement. Eric started right up. "Did Tris tell you?"

Max tilted his head "She only got to the part about they have supervised the creation of an obstacle course and Raven has been running it. She said the others at first went but she is the only one running it now."

Eric exclaimed "Doesn't fucking surprise me considering what the first version involved. How many versions is it at now?" He glares at Tris who juts her chin out and a bit smugly replies.

"There were a total of three of the same as the first but with variations on heights or lengths of the obstacles. The completely reconfigured course had new things added and most everything changed so it wasn't even the same course. That also had a total of three all with the same kind adjustments as the first. We just finished her third course and it went through the three variations but we added some of the first two back in making it the longer course." Her eyes were gleaming with pride in me.

He looked back to me "Tell them exactly what you told me about the first course."

I nod and take a breath "It started out with a combination of high lows with the MP5 then moving on to a small set of physical obstacles at the end of which ended up in a quick load of a sidearm and fire at pop up targets. Of course the targets were randomized between friendly and enemy boards. Those were spread out and at the end I had to complete a roll and fire up at a target that was set above me at some distance. I reloaded and had to holster properly and safely and then moved on to some more physical obstacles, that let out at a knife throwing exercise. The final was a wall that I had to get over by climbing the rope that was set up and rappel the short distance down. Zeke and Four would toss out targets and I had to pull my sidearm and fire before they got close to the ground continuously moving forward. I ran that until as soon as the targets at the end were released I hit them before they could start their descent."

The others digested that and Tris smiled at me "When she first proposed letting her run the course she came up with all of the obstacles and we helped her make it. We had that big unused old training room in the annex that was perfect for our needs. I agreed because after she listed everything and why, I saw something that could benefit further initiation trainings and even member trainings; I even ran it. Hell all of us ran the courses in all variations. I wasn't going to let her run something that I didn't think would at least benefit her. The latest one I will freely admit I still haven't been able to complete. I am not sure about the others because we started to do them at different times. It is a bit embarrassing when your own initiate not only beats you in time but can beat you on obstacles that you can't even complete."

Eric had his head tilted and had gotten a knife from one of his pockets and was tapping it against his nails as both Tris and I spoke.

No one was speaking and I began to frown Tris gave signed to me in sign language 'don't worry they are just thinking'.

Eric stopped tapping and looked from her to me and quirked an eyebrow and I sighed and signed back to her 'if you say so' without taking my eyes off of him because I knew he had been waiting to see if I could or would reply back. Eric understood sign language which isn't surprising because military hand signals were somewhat related.

His mouth twitched and he just shook his head and started tapping again.

"I think we should see this course and Raven run it. Not tonight but maybe tomorrow morning. We can decide what we want to do from there with that course but at the very least." Max looked towards Tris "Can the first course be set up again in that or another space?"

Eric nodded approvingly. "You want to have them to start running it this initiation."

Max smiles "There will be some downtime while they are being outfitted and trained for the next stage and from what I hear the first course has elements from the next stage anyways."

Leo and Andrea nod their agreement and turn to Tris.

"Absolutely it could be set up again. The room the current course is set up in has plenty of room and that was the smallest of the courses so it could be set up there as well." She replied smoothly.

"Could it be set back up by the end of regular off days?" Andrea asked.

Tris thought about it. "We should be able to have it done. Raven, Four, Zeke and Uriah along with me put the first one together. The longest part of it was getting the materials to begin with. We were able to plan for the other versions ahead of time so we were ready once she transitioned."

Max smiles "Well then I am sure with enough of the staff and Eric, Leo, Andrea and I pitching in we could get that up quickly. Maybe even in enough time to run it ourselves."

I grin back at him and he winks. "Actually Raven I had been meaning to talk to you. Tris told me you were the one that helped her get Johana's approval for the survival training being held in Amity."

I blushed and saw Eric turn to look at me but I didn't turn to see what his expression was. I shrugged "I just gave her a few pointers on how to sweet talk her."

Tris had stiffened when Max brought it up and so had I. Max nodded and smiled understanding, I had known him as long as Johana after all. "After your off days why don't you come and see me. I think I would like to get a few pointers myself."

I nodded and gave a tight smile. "Yes Sir, I can meet with you."

He sighs and stands up "Well then I think I will head back to get started on some paperwork. Eric, Tris very good work and quick thinking. Raven I look forward to seeing tomorrow morning."

Andrea and Leo followed him out and Tris came around to me and hugged me. "You going to be ok running that tomorrow."

I laugh "Of course I will, I was literally trying to climb walls earlier. Which was a success, ort of. I still landed on my ass but I will work out the kinks."

She laughs shaking her head. "Is that what you were doing. I could hear your laughter and you yelling that 'fuck that was fun'. Four was groaning that it couldn't be anything good when it comes to you."

I shrug "It was tame in comparison."

Eric was still standing there and still tapping his knife against his nails. Tris looked at him and gave him a tight smile. "Thank you for bringing her to me and making sure she could clean up without anyone messing with her."

"Not a problem, thought I would walk you two to the Parlor while I am at it." He said after a few moments and putting the knife into the vest pocket it had come from.

"You don't have to do that." She had started to say but he just quirked his eyebrow, stepped aside and gave an 'after you' motion with his hand. She linked her arm with mine and walked me forward he rolled his eyes but followed closely.

"So did you really email your father about Shane?" Tris asked me and squeezed my arm.

I laughed "Damn right I did. I wasn't for sure that he had told him to follow me here, but from his attitude and the fact that it is very obvious Shane doesn't have a Dauntless bone in his body I suspected it. That and after he was released from the hospital it took him almost a month to even come near me again. When he did we got into an argument which I mean considering everything isn't that hard to believe. It wasn't until after I had been told by my father we were having a lunch with his family that he finally tried to apologize. I guess I should have realized it then when he knew every single thing to say to truly make me believe it had been my fault and he would of course never really hurt me like that. He was coached by a master after all."

"What do you think will happen to him now?"

I shrugged "He will be fine as long as he never plans to leave the Dauntless compound."

She laughed "He will be lucky if he is fine here Raven but also very lucky if he gets anything besides the fence as his job offering."

"Well then we both know he is screwed. As soon as he steps foot out of here you can pretty much run a stopwatch on how long it will take him to be black bagged." I say and then stop as a thought strikes me.

I snarl at my stupidity and start cursing, but also turning white. "I fucked him Tris…gods I so fucked him." I started pacing and she realized what I meant.

"Survival training." She gasped.

"Gods Tris and he won't even have to be taken that far….cause we will already be at fucking Amity. Just drop him outside and it's fucking over. No one, not even him, needs to be there Tris." My chest starts heaving and Tris grabs me and starts pulling me along with her. Fuck I need to be in my void so bad, but I can't when I am all worked up.

"Keep it quiet Raven." She hissed and did the blind language sign in my hand for 'Eric'.

I groaned. "Sorry I know that is not being announced yet." I hoped that covered for my outburst.

"No problem, look here is the thing. You don't know your father will give a shit about Shane anymore. We will just make sure to assign someone to make sure he doesn't come near your but also that will keep track of him in general." She said calmly.

I nod "There is always the chance. Shane can still tell him what I am up to after initiation anyways. That may be enough to satisfy him. Tori has a new bottle of whiskey, right?" I ask that last part seriously.

Tris laughed "Yes, but you are still going to have to share or else it isn't any fun."

We get to the tattoo parlor and Tris walks in but Eric asked me for just a moment. He directed me to a small service corridor that supplies were brought to the back by. I frowned but let him guide me there. "I was going to ask you why you were concerned about Shane, but I get the feeling you wouldn't give me a straight answer. It would be truthful, but not the whole truth. So I won't even try. Do you remember what I asked about meeting me?"

I nod "After dinner tomorrow at The Chasm."

He smiles "I put my phone info into yours and then put yours into my own. I don't want you waiting by the Chasm so if I am not at dinner at the same time as you, I will find out when you are done and we can leave from there. Don't be surprised if I message you before then, or tonight even."

It takes everything in me not to react and lose my breath as I want to but I manage to smile and nod "Okay that sounds good."

He reaches up and cups my cheek again slowly running his thumb across it "You did amazing today. I am glad you aren't staying in the dorm tonight, but if you need me message me Raven."

"Thank you Eric, I will." I say in that stupid breathy whisper that is giving away how much he affects me.

He picks right up on it but doesn't smirk he just smiles and leans in as he tilts my face up. The kiss when it comes isn't the tease from earlier, but a gentle press of his lips to mine. He deepens the kiss without demanding more than that. His lips are full and I don't think I ever noticed that because they are usually thinned in anger or are in a sneer or smirk. They are also warm and soft and I sigh into them before he pulls back and looks down at me again. "Try not to get too drunk and don't go somewhere without Tris, please."

I smile "I rarely get drunk but I don't think I will be leaving here without Tris and probably Zeke to take me to Shauna's. I think they want me to stay there tonight and there is an extra room to use.

He kisses my forehead and whispers against it "Good. I am going to walk you in, wanted to talk to Bud about something."

With that he puts his hand on my back again and walks in with me. Tori already had the whiskey and was in the back room with Tris who waved me in. Eric waited until I was in the room and then walked over to where Bud's station is.