Yes Eric and Tris are both very OOC in this story. Eric has ethics and morals and Tris is already beginning to push them to their limits. I do not own Divergent or any of the characters. Happy reading!

"How many decided to drop your class on the first day this semester Coulter?" There was humor in Lauren Aryes voice, she was one of the teaching assistants for another Professor but seemed to enjoy giving him hell in the faculty office area.

"As far as I know none. I may have a high rate of people dropping my class Aryes but I have a damn low rate of people failing." Grabbing a paper cup he poured some coffee as he wanted for the normal staff meeting that occurred about this time each semester. "Have you seen Max yet?" Max was the Dean of the University but most of the staff just called him Max.

"Max is right here, we're just waiting for everyone to arrive." Nodding Eric leaned against the wall with his legs crossed at the ankles and his arms crossed over his chest as he nodded.

More professors began to fill into the meeting space and Eric was about tired of waiting patiently since the meeting was supposed to start thirty minutes ago and unlike some of them he was young and had better things to do than be on campus. "Seems that most are here now so let's get started, welcome to the first day of the new fall semester. Our job as educators is to instill as much wisdom as possible and teach those attending things that will help them in their future endeavors. As with every fall semester student services along with some of the fraternities and sororities are hosting a bonfire tonight which means that we'll need more than just campus security since they may be needed elsewhere. As with every fall semester I look to you, my staff to volunteer one night of your life to make sure tonight goes well."

Eric knew it was coming but he was still hoping that maybe things had changed this year and it wouldn't be necessary to baby sit but that seemed a pointless thing to hope for. "What about you Coulter? You're young and probably keep up with these kids. Make sure there's as little underage drinking as possible." Some Universities might say to make sure there was no underage drinking but here they were realists, they knew it was going to happen they just tried to decrease it and keep everyone safe.

"That doesn't really sound like you're giving me much choice even if I already have plans." Eric didn't have anything planned but hanging out at a massive bonfire with kids he would more than likely be teaching skirted that weird professional line that he didn't like to cross. Unlike some professors he didn't want his students to think he was their friends. He was already a young professor which came with pros and cons, the cons were that most of his students weren't a lot younger than him and tried to walk over him.

"Eric this is always a choice I just thought you might enjoy being there more than some of our other staff." What Max was so nicely trying to say was since he was one of the few professors under forty that he was a better option.

Raising a brow he looked over those were here, "Where's Eaton?" The other profession was the same age as he was but he hadn't seen Eaton at all today. Not that it was such a big loss since neither got along but he would rather shove the other man under the bus. Was it ethical? Hell no but it would make him feel better.

"I believe he's currently off campus but he may be back by tonight. However you haven't answered my question Eric, will you help us out tonight?" Though Max voice it as a question Eric knew that it really wasn't and it was time to give up fighting against it. The man was his boss after all.

Releasing a sigh Eric gave it, "Yeah I'll patrol the bonfire tonight." He said finally agreeing which seemed to please Max. Though they both knew the reason Max wanted him there was the fact that not only had he majored in education but he had minored in criminal justice and got to the police academy before applying to work here. Eric knew how to handle his own and how to keep situations from escalating quickly.

The rest of the meeting went by pretty fast and as it drew to a close all he wanted was a cigarette but Max grabbed his arm causing him to raise a questioning brow. "I had one more thing to discuss with you. On the questionnaires that many filled out last semester a lot wanted an on campus self-defense class. I figured I'd allow you the option before I made a decision on asking Eaton or paying someone to come in."

Sometimes Eric truly believed that Max forgot the fact that he was twenty-five and wanted a life outside of work. He wasn't necessarily ready to settle down and do the family thing but a stable relationship might be nice. Not that he normally had a lot in common with most women his main focus being his job. "Kind of depends on how many days a week you were thinking Max." Reaching up he rubbed the growing facial hair on his jaw.

"Was thinking a three part class every two weeks, Monday, Wednesday and Friday night." Eric looked at Max like he was crazy since giving up his Friday night was not something he wanted to do.

"I'll agree to a three part class once a month. Registration can be done in the student center and depending on the reception we can figure out if we need to do it more often." Because Eric really didn't want to have to teach the same thing every other week or every two weeks that was just too much.

A thoughtful look crossed Max's face, "Alright we'll try it your way and see how it goes." Leaving the staff area he headed outside pulling the pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket before shaking one out of pack and placing it between his lips and he searched in the pocket of his slacks for his lighter. Pulling it out he wanted until he far enough away from the main doors of the building before cupping his hands and lighting the cigarette against the breeze that was blowing around. Inhaling deeply he pulled the cigarette away from his lips and slowly released the lungful of smoke. He knew it was a terrible habit but everyone had their vices and being a University professor wasn't exactly easy.

"Should we have an ethical debate about cigarettes?" He heard a sarcastic feminine voice ask before he turned towards the owner of the voice who was none other than Beatrice Prior.

Raising a brow he fixed her with his best 'fuck off' look since he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt it was unethical to lust after and hang out with a student especially one in his class. "Not in the mood for a normative debate of my life choices. Is it knowingly wrong to partake of something you know will shorten your life and permanently ruin your health? Yes. So moving on. What is it that you want Miss Prior?"

His off putting demeanor didn't seem to deter her, "Are you going to the bonfire tonight? I know you're a professor and all and that's probably an interesting ethical dilemma but I was hoping to see you there." Tris managed to say in a quick rush and he was rather impressed since most didn't even want to ask him questions about assignments much less his personal plans.

Though he wanted to tell her no he just couldn't seem to and he was rethinking his choice to attend as a chaperone of sorts. "Yeah it's a requirement to have a certain amount of staff per 'X' amount of students due to legal reasons."

Tris pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as if thinking and his eyes couldn't help but follow the motion as he brought the cigarette back up to his lips to take another drag. "So you're only going in a professional capacity then?" She asked as if mulling something over in her head.

"Yes, what other capacity would I be going in? I'm a professor here." And none of them chose to hang out with students if they could help it since it tended to just create issues.

"Oh I didn't mean it like that, sorry I just blurt out things sometimes." A blush rose up her neck and into her cheeks and it made her look damn cute.

Opening the edge of his mouth he slowly released the smoke from his mouth away from her. "Alright Miss Prior, don't forget about my assignments and I'll see you in class." He said stepping away from her knowing he was now or never and he did need to head to his apartment, eat and clean up if he were supposed to be back her tonight.

"Oh you'll be seeing me tonight Mr. Coulter, I'll make sure of that." Her voice followed after him as he glanced over his shoulder at her. What new form of hell was this? All he wanted to do was his job and now he had a sophomore student clouding his brain, shit.