When Tris showed up to breakfast the next morning, Christina was so worried about how she was handling the rumors that she seemed to completely forget Tris had been MIA for a couple of days. This worked out well for Tris who still wasn't ready to share what was going on with Eric.
A week had now gone by, and the rumors had died down. No one seemed to be able to figure out who Four slept with and surprisingly, Peter had kept his mouth shut.
Max had finished his investigation and Four was given a month-long suspension from his trainer duties followed by a couple of months of Eric having to monitor him much more closely than before.
Unfortunately, with Four being off, Max had asked Eric and Khloe to take turns training the transfers which meant Eric and Tris had only seen each other once since the night they had watched Supernatural. This left Tris with entirely too much time to obsess over the fact that Max hadn't reached out to her about joining leadership and by the fifth day of no news she was finally forced to accept that no invitation was coming.
"I'm heading to lunch," Tris calls out to Kenzie who had just arrived for her shift and was settling in at the cash register.
"See you in a bit," Kenzie calls back.
With every meal, Tris hopes she will spot Eric at the leadership table but everyday she is disappointed. Has he always been this absent from mealtimes? She wonders to herself, making her way through the line and over to her friends.
She sits down next to Marlene who is talking to Christina and tries to follow their conversation but ends up giving up and focusing on her lunch instead.
"Tris Prior," a voice says from behind her.
Tris spins around in her seat to see who is addressing her.
"Yes?" she says cautiously, not recognizing the man.
"My name is Heath, I'm Max's assistant. He'd like to see you in his office when you're done with your lunch."
Tris looks between Heath and her now silent friends.
"I'll head over there now," she replies, too curious to care about finishing her meal.
Heath gives her a brief nod before walking away.
"He wants to talk to you again?" Christina says, "Do you think it's still about the Four thing?"
"No clue," Tris responds shrugging. "But I better go. I'll catch up with you guys at dinner."
"Good luck," Marlene replies as Tris stands up.
When Tris arrives at Max's office she's told by Heath, who not only managed to beat her there but is already frantically typing on his computer, to head right in.
She is surprised to find Eric sitting at one of the chairs in front of Max's desk.
"You got here fast," Max says with a smile.
"Not as fast as Heath apparently," she can't help but joke.
Max chuckles.
"No one moves as fast as Heath."
"Or as quietly as Heath," Eric adds. "It's actually kind of creepy."
Tris lets out a small laugh.
"Have a seat."
Tris does as requested and takes a seat next to Eric who gives her a small smile.
"I'm sure you're already aware that a bit over a week ago Eric came to me and requested I re-extend your invitation to join leadership."
Tris nods.
"To confirm, you are interested in joining?"
"Yes, very interested," Tris responds enthusiastically.
"Very well," Max starts. "I've given this a lot of thought and while recent events have made the decision much more difficult, I have decided to give you a chance."
Tris can't help the grin that breaks out across her face.
"However, the terms of your employment will be slightly different than they would have been had you accepted originally."
"What do you mean?" Eric asks.
Max raises an eyebrow at Eric before turning back towards Tris.
"You will be expected to shadow all three leader's who do not currently have a assistants. You will also shadow me for a short period of time. This will allow the majority of us to spend some time getting to know you and your working style. At the end of your time shadowing, each leader will submit a report to me about their time with you which I will use to determine whether or not you are a good fit and who I believe you would be best paired with."
Tris can feel Eric getting more and more agitated next to her has Max continues,
"I will of course speak to you as well and take your thoughts into account. While I am deliberating, you will spend a week going through fitness and agility trials to determine your level and how much physical training you will require. Once you are placed with a leader, you will have a two-month probationary period after which time you will either be offered your position permanently or I will help you to find a more suitable position elsewhere."
"That's crap," Eric says bluntly.
"Eric," Tris cautions.
"Why are you punishing her?"
"This is not meant to be a punishment, it's just meant to ensure that she has the best of intentions and is a good fit for our team."
"That's bull and you know it. You're punishing her for this mess with Four."
"Eric," Tris says softly, fighting the urge to squeeze his hand in reassurance. "It's fine."
"No, it's not."
"Tris had a chance to join leadership straight out of initiation and she declined. She also chose to get into a relationship that was against the rules. Whether or not she realized that at the time doesn't matter, she agreed to keep the relationship a secret therefore on some level she knew it was inappropriate. While you and I might understand what happened and are able to look past it, not everyone in leadership agrees with us."
"Are you saying some of the leaders don't want her here?"
Max sighs.
"It wasn't my intention to share this information, but I put it to a vote."
"Why didn't I get a vote?" Eric asks, narrowing his eyes at Max.
"I didn't have to ask you, I already knew what your vote would be, and it was included in the tally. The leader's votes landed at 3 to 2 in favour of giving her a chance. But I still needed to put the fears of the others at ease."
"I think those terms are perfectly reasonable. I am more than happy to comply with them."
Eric let's out a small huff but doesn't speak.
"I want you to start tomorrow. You'll come in first thing and fill out the necessary paperwork. After that, you will shadow Carter for the rest of the week. I am on weekend duty so Saturday and Sunday you'll be with me. Next week you'll shadow Khloe from Wednesday to Sunday and then Eric the next Wednesday to Sunday. I didn't plan it this way, but unfortunately the way the schedule falls you won't have a free weekend for a while."
Tris shakes her head.
"I don't mind at all. This is my priority."
Max smiles.
"That's what I like to hear. Do you have any questions?"
Tris hesitates for a second.
"I'm sure I'll have lots of questions once I start, but for now, what time should I get here tomorrow?"
"Eight am sharp will be your start time on most days. If there's an emergency or there's business outside of the faction to deal with you may need to come in earlier or work later but that's always a case-by-case basis. You'll meet Eric at his office in the morning and he will help you through the paperwork as that's part of his regular duties."
Max turns to look at Eric.
"I'll ask Khloe to cover you with the initiates until you're finished with Tris."
Eric nods curtly in return.
"Alright, I think we're done here. You guys better be getting back to work. I'll see you tomorrow, Tris."
"Thank you for the opportunity," Tris says, standing to leave. "I promise you won't regret it."
"Happy to hear it," he replies before looking towards Eric who stands up silently. "You're getting what you wanted, maybe be a little grateful?"
"Thank you," Eric says through clenched teeth eliciting a long sigh from Max.
"It's just a precaution Eric, if she's as good as you think she'll be then there's no reason she won't end up with a permanent position. Just have a little faith."
They make the walk out of the leadership offices in silence.
"I'm sorry he's making you jump through hoops," Eric says as soon as they are out of earshot of any possibly onlookers.
Tris shakes her head.
"Don't be. I'm just grateful I'm even getting a chance. Besides, it really doesn't sound too bad at all. I already knew shadowing was an option, so what if it's mandatory rather than by choice. And the probationary period doesn't scare me. I would have given this my all with or without it and if that's not enough then I wasn't meant to be here."
"I guess…"
"And the vote was 3 to 2 which means at least 3 of you are on my side, plus Max seems to be routing for me too. Those sound-like pretty good odds to me."
"Fine," Eric sighs, conceding. "But I don't see why you have to shadow that perve at all, never mind first."
"You know Max probably did that on purpose, right?" Tris says thoughtfully.
"What do you mean."
"Well, since I'm starting on a Wednesday, there's only three days left of the week. Starting me with Carter means I'll spend that least amount of time with him and part of my first day will be paperwork with you."
"You may have a point there."
"So just take Max's advice and be grateful."
Eric sighs again. "You're right, I shouldn't have been such an ass."
Tris chuckles.
"I'm surprised Max didn't kick you out of the room. How do you get away with talking to him like that?"
"Par for the course. I'm always an ass, remember?"
"Even to Max?"
"No, not often. But that doesn't mean my behaviour would have been surprising."
They walk in silence for a moment.
"Will you be an ass to me too?"
"What?" Eric asks thrown off by her question.
"Now that I'm going to be part of leadership, does that mean I'm going to have to deal with Leader Eric and his jackass persona?"
Eric takes a beat to consider her question.
"I hadn't really thought about that. Hopefully I'll be able to find a balance."
"What about Khloe? Do you treat her any differently than the others?"
"To an extent, sure. But I'm also a massive dick to her sometimes and just end up grovelling in private afterwards."
"Poor Khloe."
"Don't you 'poor Khloe' me. That girl can dish it out just as well as she can take it."
Tris chuckles.
"I guess we'll just have to figure it out as we go."
Before they realize it, Eric has walked Tris all the way back to the shop.
"I guess I should get in there."
"Can I ask you something first?" Eric asks.
"Of course."
Eric looks around quickly to make sure no one is around before turning back towards Tris.
"What does this mean for us? I mean, with leadership back in the picture, does that change things for you?"
Tris takes a deep breath, unprepared for his question.
"Is it okay if I think about it?"
"Sure," Eric says, a bit disappointed.
"It's just, I thought I knew, but I'm not so sure anymore."
Eric nods.
"I get it," he says. "While you are still undecided, could we hang out tonight?"
"You're not working late?"
Eric shakes his head.
"No, I need a break. I get that someone has to train these initiates, but being with them from eight to six and then trying to cram all my regular shit in afterwards is starting to get to me. I fell asleep at my desk last night."
Tris looks at him sympathetically.
"How much longer do you have?"
"Khloe swaps in on Monday for the next two weeks and then I think things go back to normal after that. Anyways, tonight?"
"I told my friends I'd be at dinner, but I can come by afterwards?"
"Sounds good. And, for the record, I don't need to think about anything," he says quietly before kissing her on the cheek and walking away.
"He just offered you a position out of the blue like that?" Christina asks surprised but impressed.
Tris shrugs moving her pasta shells aimlessly around her plate.
"I guess they really need people so he decided to give me another shot even though I turned it down last time."
"That's so exciting. Congrats Tris. I think you'll be amazing," Will says.
"Yeah, you'll be great," Marlene adds with a smile.
"Thanks guys."
"Do you know what you'll be doing?" Christina asks.
"I'll spend my first year as an assistant. I don't know to who yet. Max is having me shadow Carter, Khloe, and Eric before he decides who he thinks I'll fit best with."
"He better not force you to work for that old perve," Uriah comments before shoveling a mouthful of pasta in his mouth.
"Eric wouldn't be any better. Getting barked at by him for a year was enough, I can't imagine having to deal with him for another one. And one on one with no witnesses? Hell no."
Tris holds back an eyeroll.
"He's not that bad," Marlene defends. "And I'm sure working with him one on one wouldn't be the same as initiation."
Tris catches Marlene's eye and gives her a grateful smile.
"Mar's right, and he's best friends with Khloe who's awesome. I doubt they'd be friends if he really is a jackass."
"Have you all lost your minds?" Christina asks incredulously. "Or did we just forget that he tried to kill me?"
This time, Tris rolls her eyes before she can stop herself.
"He didn't try to kill you."
Christina's eyes grow wide in disbelief.
"Then what do you call hanging me over the chasm?"
"A lesson?" Tris replies without thinking.
"Fuck you," Christina counters angrily.
"He wouldn't have let you fall," Tris defends. "He's not a murderer."
"Whatever," Christina says, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Can we just stop arguing and go back to being excited for Tris?" Will says earning him a glare from Christina.
"So, when do you start," Uriah asks, trying to turn the conversation around.
"How come you weren't at dinner," Tris asks walking through the doorway of Eric's apartment.
"I'm not a huge fan of socializing in general and with double duty I've just been too exhausted to even try," he says, closing the door behind her.
"What about the night we talked in the Pit? You were out then."
"Sam wanted to introduce all of us to his girlfriend," he starts, motioning for her to follow him to the kitchen. "Well, officially anyways. I went through initiation with her, so I didn't really need to meet her. Sam and I aren't super close, but we get along alright, and Khloe gets along with everyone so if I'm out, it's usually because she dragged me there. She thinks I should try harder to have more friends, but I like being alone."
Tris nods.
"Water?" Eric asks, pouring himself a glass.
"I'm good for now," she replies. "What if I wanted you to hang out with me and my friends?"
Eric looks at her and raises an eyebrow.
"Would your friends want to hang out with me?"
"Fair point. I think most of them would be fine with it. It's only Christina that would likely need some convincing."
"Hasn't forgiven me for initiation then?"
Tris shakes her head.
"Nope, still adamant that you 'tried to kill her.'"
"I never would have let her fall," he says seriously before downing half of his glass of water.
"I know that."
"So," he says, walking towards the sofa and sitting down. "If you're asking me about spending time with your friends does that mean you've decided we should keep seeing each other regardless of the outcome of your leadership shadowing is?"
Tris makes herself comfortable next to Eric on the couch before responding.
"Two weeks ago, I was sure we couldn't happen if I joined leadership. But then we spent all that time together and leadership seemed to be off the table so I let myself get excited about seeing where this thing with you might go, and now…I'm just not sure I'm prepared to give that up."
Eric lets out a sigh of relief.
"Oh, thank God. I really don't think I could have handled working with you everyday and having to ignore the way I feel about you."
Tris smiles.
"So that's your final answer then? You and I are officially dating, no limitations?"
"Dating. No limitations. Final answer."
Eric leans in and kisses her.
"Do you think us being together will make Max rule you out as an option at work?" she asks sadly when they pull apart.
"It's a possibility. But I really couldn't say for sure."
"I'd understand if he did. But it would be disappointing not to get to work with Erudite. Plus, any chance of working on the retirement housing project would disappear. I just feel like my interests fit so well with what you do."
"Plus, you'd be missing out on staring at my beautiful face all day," he adds with a wink, earning him a smile from Tris. "There's no point in worrying about it yet. Let's just get you through these next few weeks and when you're done shadowing, we'll see what happens."
"You're probably right. I'll try to let it go for now."
Eric picks up his datapad and tries to pass it to Tris but she holds up her hand to stop him.
"You want to do something else?"
"No, but you should pick. You're the one who's been dealing with sixteen-hour days for over a week now and needs a break."
"Right then, four little old ladies squabbling in a house in Miami it is."
Not long after starting Golden Girls, Tris notices snoring coming from beside her on the couch. When she turns to look at Eric, she is disappointed to find him fast asleep. However, she knows he's been working his butt off and must be beyond exhausted to have fallen asleep so quickly.
Tris quietly picks up his datapad and turns off the show. Standing, she looks around the room for a blanket but there doesn't seem to be one in the living room. She walks over to his bedroom and pulls his duvet off his bed.
When she returns, Eric has rearranged himself in his sleep and is now sprawled out across the cushions with his head resting against the arm of the couch. Tris gently places the duvet over top of him and smiles at how soundly he is sleeping. She is grateful he is getting the rest he needs. Without thinking, she gently runs her fingers through his hair causing him to smile in his sleep.
As sad as she is to see the evening come to such a quick end, knowing she'll see him first thing in the morning helps sooth her disappointment. Tris takes one last look at his peaceful form before turning and walking towards the door.
"Emergency contact?" Tris questions, sitting across from Eric at his desk.
"Like if you end up in the infirmary or something. Who do you want us to call?"
Tris nods back in understanding.
Christina feels like the obvious choice, but she's not very good in stressful situations and Tris isn't sure it would be fair to put her in that position. Marlene is calm under pressure and surprisingly nurturing so having her at her bedside might be nice. But choosing Marlene could hurt Christina's feelings and Tris isn't sure if she's prepared to deal with the possible consequences.
"It's not a trick question," Eric says breaking her from her thoughts.
"Who do most people put?"
"A lot of people put their parents or siblings and then spouses or significant others. Bit harder to choose when you're a transfer though."
"Who do you have as yours?" Tris asks curiously.
"When you transfer you're technically considered a ward of the faction until you turn eighteen. When I first started, Max told me I could just put 'ward' down and they'd call him, or Heath, if something happened and he'd make sure someone came to check up on me. I should probably update it, but I haven't gotten around to it yet."
"Have you ever needed your emergency contact to be called?"
"Only once. Max sent Khloe which I appreciated. I should probably switch her to my contact anyways."
Tris scribbles 'ward' down on the paper and continues to the next question.
As she moves to the section about physical fitness, Tris can feel Eric's eyes on her.
"Is there something you need?" she asks looking back at him.
"It's just…you could have woken me up."
"You were obviously exhausted."
"But I was looking forward to spending time with you."
Tris gives him a soft smile.
"I was too. But you've got a lot on your plate right now and you need to take care of yourself so you don't burn out. It's okay to prioritize rest over spending time together. Things will go back to normal for you soon and I'll still be here."
"Stop that."
"Stop what?" she asks, confused.
"Stop being so damn reasonable. Screw sleep, I'd rather be exhausted than miss out on time with you."
Tris lets out a laugh.
"You might not be saying that once you're stuck spending every second of your day with me two weeks from now."
"You're right, I might end up so sick of you I'll be begging Khloe to take you off my hands," he says with a wink.
"Exactly. Now stop staring at me and let me finish filling these things out."
Eric laughs and turns towards his computer screen as Tris gets back to work completing the forms.
"Done," she states a few minutes later.
"Already? Are you sure?"
"You can look them over if you want."
"I believe you. I just don't want you to be finished because that means we're done here and it's time for you to start shadowing Carter."
"Is he really that bad?" she asks, wearily.
Eric sighs.
"It's hard to say. He hasn't worked with anyone new since Max found out about his actions and warned him that he needed to stop, so he might be on his best behaviour. As far as I know he's never taken it farther than inappropriate innuendos, unwanted shoulder rubs, thigh grazes, that kind of thing. Not that anyone wants to deal with all of that, but I guess it could be worse. Granted I feel like he keeps it at a certain level because he knows if he takes it too far he could be in real trouble."
Tris had never had to deal with a situation like this and she has to admit she's a bit nervous.
"Don't let him get to you. If he does anything to make you feel uncomfortable, I personally feel you're well within your rights to punch him."
"Eric."
"I'm serious. You shouldn't have to deal with his groping. I'm sure if you punch him every time he touches you, he'll stop. If you're worried about getting in trouble for it, you shouldn't be. And if you really can't bring yourself to do it then just come find me and I'll punch him for you."
Tris rolls her eyes playfully.
"I can fight my own battles."
"Well good. I can't wait to find out how many times he gets punched today."
"Will you just stop saying 'punch' and show me where his office is?"
Eric chuckles standing up behind his desk.
"Fine," he says, gathering her paperwork. "Follow me."
A/N: I know I said I was going to be slow with updates but man this is even slower than I hoped. If you're still out there I hope you enjoyed it, lol. I'm sure the turnaround on getting asked to join leadership seems a bit fast but there is somewhat of a reason that'll surface around chapter 14 when I finally get to it.
I hope everyone is doing well and have a lovely Thanksgiving long weekend to any Canadian's out there who celebrate.
As always, comments/suggestion/etc. are always appreciated.
-MWB
