Some questions were asked in the reviews. Some of them will be answered in this chapter. As for Janine: Right now she's just somewere in the background of this story. But of cause Janine still has the same goals as ever.

Enjoy...

10 – Candor

Four

Rumor had it that Eric was under close surveillance by Sean after the incident in the training room. Hopefully it was true, because Eric on a rampage wasn't a pretty sight, so Four was glad Sean apparently had called Eric to account.

Eric

After some dreadful days of searching for a way out, Eric, Dan and Barry were waiting for the trail to begin. Sean had accompanied him in his position of head leader of the faction but as he had told Eric he would have come anyway, while Julie would look after Teddy. Last night after Teddy had been send to bed they had discussed what to do if Candor ordered Eric to hand Teddy back over to Abnegation. They could fake his death and hide him in Amity. Eric was sure Johanna would do that. Well, he hoped she would do it. But how long could they hide him there? For a short while they could fake an assignment for Eric but sooner or later people would start to ask questions if he suddenly stayed there for month or even weeks. They could hand Teddy over and take him back the same night while pretending to know shit about it. Better: They could fake his death in Abnegation so Marcus would stop looking for him. The flaw in all of these plan was that Teddy would be right in the middle of it. He would likely be confused or frightened. Eric really hoped it wouldn't come to it, that he had to put one of these plans to action.

As they had marched through the glassy hallways towards the assigned small court room for non-public cases, many members of Candor had looked at them with curiosity while others had seemed to be intimidated by their grim demeanor. Sean and Eric had been looking into the law for hours only to come up with nothing. As a result Eric was tensed up and constantly gritted his teeth. Upon entering the room they had been greeted by Jack Kahn and had then walked over to sit on the site of the room opposite from Marcus Eaton, who had been already there. It was only some minutes later as the three Amity-men from the day of the ambush arrived. Dauntless and Amity had greeted each other friendly after the three men were advised their places. The court room had white painted walls whereas the seats were black and the tables out of glass. One of them stood at the front. It was huge with several chairs behind it for the members of the condor court. To the side was a small podium for the people to get interrogated. On the left of the room was a smaller table were Marcus had been placed and on the right side were two short lines of chairs that had been reserved for the Dauntless and Amity. Apart from Jack Kahn there were four other Condors present to witnesses the trail. Jack Kahn walked to the front to open the trial:

"Again welcome to Candor. Today we will seek the truth in behalf of the destiny of Theodore Hamilton born into the faction of Abnegation. Mr. Eaton, please state your case."

Marcus stood up: "I am convinced, that upbringing the child in another faction by someone who is not related by blood is against the faction law. Orphaned children are to be raised in the faction of their parents. The exception would be if the child doesn't have any family members left in his faction of origin and a blood relative from another faction takes it upon himself to raise the child in."

'…the child…takes it upon himself…' Those words again. That man had no empathy towards children, no wonder he abused his own son.' Eric glared at this epitome of phoniness.

"… I am also convinced, that the Dauntless soldiers may have misjudged the last words of Mr. Hamilton. I'm sure he only meant for them to take care of his son during the attack and assure a safe pathway home, not to raise his son in their faction. As a concerned leader of my faction, I also request to get to know with whom Theodore is currently staying, a request Dauntless denied before."

Eric wanted to strangle the man. He wished Jack Kahn had put Marcus under the truth serum but it was only used on witnessed and defendants. But Kahn was Condor – couldn't he catch these blatant lies? He looked at the man and saw him furrowing his brows. Perhaps there was still hope.

"Thank you." Kahn said and Marcus sat down again. "Mr. Coulter, as a leader of your faction you were the highest member present during the attack, as such I call you to testify first. Please, come forward."

Eric walked to the front and was given the truth serum.

"Please state your name and position for the court."

"Eric Coulter; Dauntless leader."

"Please tell us the events in your own words."

"I was on patrol with Patrol Guards Barry Nolan and Dan Stone, when we heard shooting. Upon our arrival at the shootout I could see Factionless attacking a food truck. Three men from Amity and Ethan Hamilton along with his son Theodore had taken cover while his wife Abigail lay on the street, shot to death. I left Nolan to defend them and went with Stone to take the attackers out. When we returned Mr. Hamilton was dying due to a shot he had received before our arrival. He asked us to look after Theo."

With the beginning of his statement Eric could feel the memories rushing back. The pictures flashed vividly behind his eyes, yet he had to look as if it has been just another day, as if it hadn't been personal as hell. He couldn't go halfway with his emotions so he quickly shut them down, buried them deep inside his soul. As a result his face was blank and his voice was bar of all emotions as he lived up to his reputation as cold hearted.

"Please tell the court the exact words Mr. Hamilton was using."

"Take him in, raise him." Eric decided to only repeat this part to the court, since he feared the other part of Ethan's words could give him away. Of cause the truth serum picked up on his little lie but Eric was fighting its effect and gave no outward sign of the inflicted pain on him, hoping Kahn would move on quick enough to get away with it. Eric got lucky:

"Did he name someone specific to look after his son?" Khan continued his questioning and the pain stopped.

"Yes."

"Please state the name of this person."

He won't answer that. Pain and consequences be dammed.

"No."

The pain hit him full force this time. Eric clenched his fists.

Kahn looked at him, none pleased: "The pain will only get worth. Again: State the name of this person."

"No!"

Though he was more prepared for the pain this time it took all his willpower not to cry out, but Teddy was worth it. Sweat was beginning to run down his brow as Eric gritted his teeth and again balled his hands into fists. Through clouds of pain Eric noticed Kahn studying him before he suddenly said:

"I withdraw my question."

Immediately the pain ebbed away and Eric took a deep breath.

"Please, state why you won't tell us who took Theodore in."

Faintly Eric noticed that, other than Marcus, Kahn wasn't using to term "child" but addressed Teddy with his name, but first and foremost he was pleasantly surprised to be given the chance to explain his denial. It would also be a risk since it could become obvious to everyone how much Teddy meant to him. The serum would pick up on it, if he tried to held something back and he doubted he would get a second time so lucky, that Khan moved on to the next question before it became obvious he was withholding something. Keeping this in mind Eric resonated:

"I believe it to be in Theodore's best interest. If word got out in Dauntless that his parents were from another faction and more so Abnegation, which is perhaps the farthest from Dauntless, everything Theo will do would be judged from there. It will be better if people don't know his origin. This is best ensured the less people now, including people of other factions. Therefore we also requested the men from Amity not to give the name away which they agreed to."

Kahn seemed to be surprised by his answer; apparently he had expected something entirely different. He seemed satisfied with the provided explanation since he finished the questioning with a slight smile on his face saying:

"Thank you for your honesty."

Relieved that Kahn hadn't pried further into the matter, Eric regained his seat. Sean caught his eye, giving him ah short nod in approval. There was nothing left to do for Eric which left him all the more fraught with tension as he followed the ongoing trail. After him the others were questioned the same as him, only Kahn didn't ask again with whom Teddy was staying. That had do be a good sign, right? Eric knew he clutched at straws, but reading Kahn's body languish proofed to be impossible.

The last of the three Amity had given his statement and Kahn then walked over to speak with his fellow Candor before he once again stood in the front.

"Mr. Eaton, is has been your concern the Mr. Hamilton's last wish might have been misunderstood. After listening to the statements of Mr. Coulter as Dauntless leader present that day, the Dauntless Patrol guards as well as the three men from Amity it is our believe that is was indeed Mr. Hamilton's last wish that his son should be raised by a specific person at the Dauntless."

Eric could see Marcus huffing at this but it was still too early to relax. This could be overruled by faction law.

"Mr. Eaton, you further claimed it would be against faction law if Theodore were to be raised by a non blood-relative of another faction. We have looked into the faction law these last days and although it is highly unusual, we found there to be no law against it. Thus the will of his father is binding for us. Theodore will stay with his new legal guardian in Dauntless."

'Yes! Yes! Yes! Yeeeees!'

Gone was the tight and painful compression around his heart. But in order not to let Marcus know how much this verdict meant to him, Eric quickly had to suppress a wide smile from spreading all over his face. Sean gave him nudge with the shoulder. The Amity, being the happy people they were, smiled broadly, while Marcus was seething which made it all the better for Eric. There was nothing Marcus could do now. Teddy was safe with them, with him. Nobody would be able to get Teddy away from him.

Apparently Kahn wasn't done since he once again addressed Marcus:

"As of your request to Dauntless to reveal with whom Theodore is staying…"

Eric tensed again, he nearly forgot about that.

"…As Theodore is as of now part of the Dauntless Faction, they are well in their right not to give this information out. It was confirmed under the questioning that their refuse to reveal this information is not out of malice towards his former Faction but thought to be in the child's best interest. Though Candor does not support withholding information in general, we believe their concerns to be believable. We like to thank you all for your honesty."

The last threat was gone. Eric couldn't believe it. When they left the Merciless Mart Eric had made sure not to talk to Marcus. Not while he was still under the truth serum. That wouldn't end well.

All the way back to the compound Eric sported a shit eating grin on his face.

.

Mia

At her lunch break Mia took the opportunity to spend some time outside at the fresh air. That was one of the things she missed at Dauntless, since she was mostly indoors. She was on her way out when she came across Eric. The normally so closed off young leader was sporting a big grin on his face. He even went as far as to great her rather friendly.

"Hi Eric." She greeted him back a little apprehensive on his unusual behavior. Something good must have happened, maybe he had won a won fight or a captured culprit, something like that would surely make Eric happy. Since she was curious and he was in such a good mood Mia was bold enough to ask while smiling at him:

"What happened to make you this happy?"

The young leader gave her a contemplated look and seemed to have an inner fight whether he'd answer her or not, if his contorted face was any indication. Then suddenly Eric simply said:

"Teddy's gotta stay."

"Oh" Mia was caught off guard. "That's great. The two of you were rather cute…" She found herself babbling, before she stopped herself hastily.

'Great Mia. Calling Eric cute will go down so well with him!'

Sure enough Eric stared at her with a non-readable expression, one eyebrow raised: "You think I'm cute?"

"No! Of cause not. You are not! You are very manly. Well build muscles and all…"

Eric smirked: "You think I'm attractive, Mia?"

Mia blushed. Damn!

"Anyway, I'm glad for you, I mean Teddy is staying with you, is he not? What about his parents? I have to admit that I hadn't seen him before and I know most of the kids here at Dauntless due to my job."

He didn't answer her, but instead he began to clench his hands into fists looking miserable at her before he suddenly demanded:

"Take it back!"

'What the hec happened?' Mia was at loss. She hadn't said anything insulting. At least not since the cute-incident and he hadn't exploded then, so why now? And really 'Take it back!" made him sound like a five-year old. But of cause she would never tell him so.

"I'm sorry Eric." Mia tried to apologize. "I didn't mean to insult you."

Much to Mia's dismay Eric seemed suddenly to be in real pain, though he tried not to show it. He may be angry at her for some unknown insult but that won't stop her from trying to help him and she stepped closer to him. Before she could do more Eric snapped at her:

"Take your question back!" when Sean came running around the corner.

"Sorry Eric!" The main leader began but stopped short at the sight before him. "Mia!" Sean addressed her. "Did you ask him a question?"

Mia nodded, not knowing what was going on. "We have to help Eric." She laid a hand on Eric's arm and was about to ask him how she could help him when Sean addressed her again.

"Mia!" He all but barked "Repeat after me: I withdraw my question."

'What was it with her question?' Mia couldn't comprehend how this was so urgent when Eric clearly wasn't feeling good. Nonetheless she repeated: "I withdraw my question." She said never taking her eyes off the man before her, who was by now in severe pain and very pale. The moment she had repeated the phrase Eric relaxed and Mia was relieved to see him doing better. Almost miraculously so. She furrowed her brows: "What just happened?"

"I didn't want to answer your question, Mia." Eric told her bluntly.

"Okay, of cause, if you don't want to, but why…" She trailed off. Eric had reacted like someone under the truth serum. "Oh…" She uttered. "I'm sorry, Eric. I promise you, no more questions."

"I appreciate that." Eric gave her a half smile, his good mood reappearing.

Looking back between her and Eric, Sean asked: "Mia, can I trust you with accompanying Eric back to his flat?"

"Of cause! I won't let anyone ask him anything!" Mia felt oddly protective about their so called ruthless leader.

"Eric, trust me on this. I've known Mia since her first day of initiation."

After searchingly looking her in the eyes for a while Eric nodded his approval.

"Okay."

Today Mia got to know yet another side of Eric. On their way they talked with each other about random things with Mia carefully avoiding to ask any questions. Eric's good mood hadn't been damped by the earlier occurrence and Mia found that he liked actually talking to Eric. They had almost reached his flat, when Mia heard someone calling out:

"Eric! Wait up. I wanted to ask…"

"O no you don't!" Mia said sternly.

"What?" The man looked at her dumbfounded. "Look, I don't know who you are, but all I want to know is…"

"Not now!" Eric barked over his shoulder speeding his steps while dragging her along.

"Hey!" Clearly the other man couldn't get the hint, because he came after them.

"Back off, Zeke!" Eric snapped.

"Seriously?" Zeke asked.

Mia rolled her eyes. "Seriously!" She confirmed. "Now I don't know you and you don't know me but if you aren't going right now, things will get ugly."

"Don't let it out on me if you two are in a sour mood!" Zeke exclaimed.

"I wasn't." Eric muttered. "Is this urgent or important?" He then asked Zeke with a sigh.

"No, but..."

"You make all this fuss about nothing?" Eric glared at Zeke.

"If you want to put it like that."

"Listen, you want to ask me a question, you got to ask her." Eric gestured to Mia.

This caught Mia off guard, but then she had to admit it might actually work:

"Excellent idea." Mia grinned at Eric, while Zeke exclaimed: "What are you? Five?"

"It's up to you." Eric replied stoically.

Rolling his eyes Zeke addressed her: "Mia, could you asked Eric if he has seen Four around somewhere?"

"No I haven't." Eric was already turning around. "Come on, Mia!"

Mia caught up with him, now laughing. "He will think we're insane."

"Don't care," was all he muttered.

When they reached his apartment, Mia learned what Eric meant when he said that Teddy would stay: His living room was littered with toys and children's drawings were in front of the original pictures on the wall. Apparently Eric had adopted the boy and had had to fight for it at candor, though she didn't know why and giving his earlier reaction to her question about his parents he didn't want to talk about it. Least not with her.

Teddy for sure was glad to see Eric: He run to him for a hug, before they had the chance to even close the door. Apparently Julie had looked after him for Eric during the trial, but left on their arrival.

Mia was about to head back herself, when Eric suddenly said gruffly:

"You want a coffee?"

For a moment Mia just blinked at him. Never in a millions years would she have expected a coffee invitation of Eric.

"Um, sure. Thank you. Actually this is my lunch break."

"Well, then take it here. You want something to eat too?"

"What? No. No, I'm good. I have a lunch packet. I like to take my brake outside. Get some fresh air."

Mia enjoyed seeing a relaxed and cheerful Eric playing with Teddy while she sipped her coffee on the sofa. If anyone would have told her a few weeks back she'd be in his apartment willingly and liking it also, she wouldn't have believed it.

Marcus

He still couldn't believe he hadn't been able to stop Dauntless from taking one of their own. If there wasn't a law against it as Candor claimed, then he should make one. He was the leader of the city after all. These hellions needed to be stopped.