Chapter 41 - Number Boys and Fiesty Women

Kat

I can't stop my knee from bouncing with agitation and impatience as I sit at the table. A nervous, frustrated energy seemed to come from nowhere and hit me as breakfast started to wind down. It probably didn't help that during breakfast I couldn't stop remembering making out with Eric in the training room.

It took me by surprise when he kissed me so out in the open like that. The room was empty, just like it usually is, but still, I would think he wouldn't want to risk someone coming in. That surprise didn't stop me from eagerly returning the kiss that got very heated, very quickly.

Just before Eric pulled away I felt like I was at a breaking point of some kind, like I was so close to something. I don't know what it had been but all I can think is that I need to find out. My body is screaming at me to find out. Which is probably why I got mad when he pulled away. It doesn't help that he then denied me getting to spend time with him during the clean-up like I've come to expect.

I knew he avoided it because his control is already being stretched and he's still holding back because...whatever his reasons are. I still don't know what those reasons are or even what these boundaries are he mentioned. What I do know is that I walked away from that with a growing desire to test and push any and every boundary he might have just so I can find out what is on the other side of that breaking point.

Oh, the ideas I have running through my head right now.

Drunken girls night, tawdry novel and raging hormone inspired ideas that even as I imagine them have me feeling heated enough that I'm surprised I haven't gone up in flames right here.

So here I am, itching to get ahold of Eric in a room with just the two of us and see what kind of mischief would ensue. Eric must pick up on this because he sure seems reluctant to let Zach or Chase leave or leave us alone.

"Hey Chase, I'm going to go grab a shower but why don't you show Kat our collection of old movies. We have enough time to watch one before we have to leave for the day." Eric calls out to his friend, who is in the kitchen area cleaning up from breakfast with Zach, and I can hear the strain in his voice.

My eyes narrow and I scowl at him while Eric grunts and once again moves my hand from where I had been lightly dragging my fingernails along his thigh.

"Sure that sounds good," Chase replies and then I hear him murmuring something to Zach that has them both laughing.

Eric leans in and grabs my chin to make me look at him, his nostrils flared and his blue eyes darkened. "Behave," He whispers low enough for only me to hear.

I smirk at him, blushing a little at what I'm about to say to him in response. Which happens to be a line from the last book Lynn gave me that, funnily enough, has almost the exact same situation in it.

"Or what? Are you going to make me?"

He doesn't quite growl but there is a low rumble from his chest before he answers. "Keep it up and I just might and I don't think you really know what you would be asking for, Kat."

I gulp, my eyes widening a little. Because if the result is anywhere near what happened in the book...I am daring but I don't think I'm quite ready for that! My reaction has Eric chuckling darkly before he leans back in and kisses me, hard and fast, then he gets up and stomps away.

The bedroom door slams behind him with a resounding thud, making me jump and blush even harder while Chase and Zach start laughing again about something in the kitchen.

"What are you two laughing about?" I call out as I stand and carry my now empty coffee cup to them.

"Nothing, princess. It's not important." Zach takes the cup from me with a smile. "So, earlier we were talking about the end of the first stage. I'm sure you're feeling what we felt, that it seems to be dragging along but just seems to be getting more intense."

I nod in agreement. "Yeah, it really does."

"Well, the good thing is that there are a few days off in addition to the one you get for visiting day. That will help in allowing you to rest and blow off some steam before the next stage."

I bite my lip and nod, unable to answer back after the feeling of dread for visiting day flares up. Chase walks up and drapes his arm over my shoulder, smiling at me kindly. "Come on sweetheart, let's go pick out a movie to watch. I'm sure we have something with martial arts in it that might interest you."

I know that Eric is just trying to keep to whatever boundaries he's set in his mind of what we can or should do. And I know that Chase and Zach must realize that I have a lot going on inside of me right now that they both want to try and help distract me from. I know the only thing I should be focusing on or worrying about is my upcoming fight but it's not and I gladly accept Chase and Zach's efforts.

I smile widely as my reply and let him guide me into the living room.

I let them direct me to the couch and curl up in a spot while I watch the two of them find something for us to watch, debating one movie versus another until they have me choose from the two they narrowed it down to. Then I allow myself to become drawn into a tale of revenge, corruption, and redemption all wrapped up into a stunning display of martial arts and artistry.

I'm so involved in the movie that I don't protest or mind when Eric finally makes an appearance, pulls me up so he can sit in the spot I was sitting in and then pulls me into his lap. It feels natural and right.

I did worry about what Zach and Chase might feel about things. From listening to talk between some of the Dauntless-born guys I knew that guys often get offended when the girl of one of their friends is always hanging around. Clingy was the term they used for what they thought the girl was.

I didn't want Chase and Zach to think of me like that.

As far as I can tell they don't think that. At least not yet. They looked slightly amused when Eric pulled me into his lap but they didn't make any comments and it didn't get weird. My embarrassment and worry completely went away and this allowed me to enjoy the movie and soak it in.

Seeing some of the moves left me wondering if I could learn them myself. Something about how intensely I was watching must have let them know what I was thinking and that had them rewinding it back and pausing so we could analyze it together. Their goal of distracting me works. I'm completely relaxed and soaking in their company. Between their eagerness to show me moves and the fact that turned into roughhousing between the three men before they broke away with smiles, I can tell they are enjoying themselves too.

But there's a looming dark spot and it isn't my upcoming fight or even the possibility of my parents not coming to visiting day. That dark spot is knowing what I'm going to have to do in order to protect Eric from who and what was after him that night of capture. The fact that to do this I'm going to have to go with Four already feels like a betrayal and I haven't even done it yet.

I know I'm going to have to tell Eric something about where I'm going and whatever information I find out but I also know that I can't tell him before I do it. Because there would be no way he would let it happen. Me leaving the compound is going to upset him, I know that, but I'm also certain that who I leave with will make that so much worse. I guess I can only hope that my being able to give him information to find those responsible will be enough for him to forgive me.

~~Worth Fighting For~~

Eric

"Goddammit," My good mood vanishing as I mutter under my breath and thumb my phone to see what Max wants, already knowing it's going to fuck up my morning in some way.

"What's wrong?" Kat me worriedly.

I finished reading the message, not that there was much to it other than him demanding I get to his office ASAP and sigh before looking up to find three sets of eyes waiting for an answer.

"I have to go, meeting with Max in his office." I smile at her, trying to reassure the worry I can see in her eyes as she bites her lower lip. "Don't worry, it's probably just to complain about something going on in the compound."

This doesn't ease her worry, probably because she can sense I'm being vague on purpose. I have a feeling that the something going on in the compound I referred to is the fact Max knows that I pulled her from the dorm and spent the night with her elsewhere, completely going against his orders.

"Come here," I murmur gruffly, already pulling her with me to my room. "Be back in a second," I inform Chase and Zach as we pass them without looking at them.

When we are behind the closed door of my bedroom I pull her against me.

"I can tell you're worried about what Max wants, Eric," Kat mumbles into my chest where she has her head buried.

I sigh and lift her chin until she's looking at me. "I admit I am a bit concerned that he wants to meet with me alone, mainly because I don't want whatever he wants to interfere with me being at training today for your fight. Chase will make sure you get to the training room but I'll try to be there by the time it starts."

"It's okay if you do miss my fight, Eric. I understand you have responsibilities as a leader. Just...if you are being called out on a patrol again...can you please promise me to be careful." She whispers, frowning and clutching my shirt tightly in her balled up fists on my chest.

"Always. I don't think that's what he wants to see me for but if it is, I'll get a message to you through Chase and Zach."

She nods, exhaling heavily and still looking worried. I reach down to grip her hips and pull her even closer to me as I lean down to claim her mouth. Before our lips even made contact her hands were already gripping me from the back of my neck and she was raising up on her tip-toes to press her body flush against me.

I don't know which one of us makes the first move in taking it beyond a simple kiss and I'm coming to think there is no such thing as a simple kiss when it comes to her. All I know is that when my phone goes off several minutes later I have her pressed against the door with her legs wrapped around my waist with her body writing against me and our tongues dancing hungrily.

Even though we break away from this kiss, I can't stop completely. Instead, I grip her tightly and press my pelvis forward to stop her from trying to get down while I move my lips to her neck.

"You have to go, Eric," Kat moans out the words. "I'll be fine...oh...I promise."

A throat clears on the other side of the door and I barely hold back the words I want to shout telling them to fuck off. When my phone buzzes again...I know my time is up and I have to let her go.

"See you soon," I husk out, squeezing her hips and holding her tight against me as I turn and move us away from the door before I let her down, her body sliding against mine.

I love the way her eyes widen and her breathing turns ragged. Her skin is flushed and her eyes glazed over..stepping away from her about fucking kills me. So I pull the door open and step out quickly, then mumble something to Chase and Zach about letting them know what's going on and grab my jacket. Kat's still standing in the doorway to my bedroom when I look back at her, she blinks slowly, still trying to get herself together. I wink at her and watch as she blushes even more and huffs before looking away from me, her lips forming a small pout she obviously doesn't want me to see.

"Eric," Zach stops me as I get to the door. "If for whatever reason you aren't going to make it for her and her sister's fights, I can arrange to be there. Just let me know."

"I will," I nod in agreement but hope like hell I won't have to take him up on that offer.

I glance back at Kat, who now has her arms crossed over her chest and a gleam in her eye. She catches me looking at her and smirks a little, looking for all the world like she's having wicked thoughts. Then Zach closes the door to the apartment.

I close my eyes and groan a little before shaking my head, not even wanting to think about what the look might mean but with a feeling, I'm probably going to find out later if Kat has anything to say about it.

~~Worth Fighting For~~

Despite being ordered to get my ass there pronto, I don't just barge into Max's office. I rap on the scared black wood and stand waiting a few ticks before I finally get a response.

"Enter," His gruff voice is muffled by the door.

I open the door and start to enter but stop dead in my tracks when I spot Four. He's standing stiffly off to the side of Max's desk. As soon as we make eye contact the glares start.

"I'll take care of it. Dismissed." Max directs his words to Four and gives him a nod of dismissal before turning his attention fully on me. "Eric, come in and take a seat."

I move forward as Four moves out, not once taking our eyes off each other. This isn't really all that unusual for the two of us, but the level of intensity coming from both of us has hit new heights. I know the reason for the loathing I feel for him at the moment has a good deal to do with Kat and I think that might be part of his as well but I don't care to find out for sure.

I have other things to worry about and it looks like he does too because he slips out of the office without a word to me and closes the door just as I'm taking a seat.

During this, I thought Max might have given a small weary sigh but when I'm seated and looking at him there isn't a sign of that.

"You wanted to see me, Max?" I ask, trying to keep the annoyance from my tone.

"I did." He grunts while nodding once. "I needed to inform you that I'm reinstating the initiate Kat Prior's punishment owed to Four. She will serve it with him after dinner tonight and I've assigned a task outside of the compound that he will be taking her along on."

Seething doesn't even begin to describe what I'm feeling right now. The reason for Four's early morning visit is clear even if I'm not sure if he set things in motion or this was something Max did. Regardless of who started it, I'm regretting not putting my fist through the dick's face the second he got close enough to me.

It's bad enough that Kat is going to be doing what I've worked hard to keep from happening but that it's going to be outside of the compound...

"Absolutely fucking not." The objection spews from my lips before I can even think about the consequences of talking to my commanding officer like that.

"Excuse me? I don't think I heard you correctly. Are you countermanding a direct order from your senior officer?" Max asks me coldly with hard and narrowed eyes locked onto me. Warning me that I need to think carefully before responding.

"No, sir. I am wondering why an untried initiate is being taken out of the compound to do something a fully trained member can do on their own, especially on the heels of the events during capture." I have to grit the words out and try to keep the rage I'm feeling contained.

I'm fighting hard to not lose my shit but I know I'm not doing a great job of it and just digging myself deeper. But the thought of Kat being out in the city with fucking Four as the only person to protect her is pushing me.

"She's hardly untried and a damn site more capable than even some of our members. As for why she's taken along, that would be because I ordered it so it will be done. Or do you not believe in following orders anymore?" His tone is still calm but with a cold and hard edge to it.

That's not what my blood running cold though, it's the insinuation I can hear in it as he looks at me with narrowed and knowing eyes.

"No, sir. I still believe in following orders. I apologize for my outburst, but the attack is still fresh in my mind. I'm anxious to get answers and find out who was behind it."

There is silence for a second before Max barks out a harsh laugh. "While that is true let's not pretend your outburst was for any other reason than your interest in the initiate in question."

"I can admit she has potential and I.."

Max stands up and waves his hand impatiently, cutting me off. "Cut the shit, Eric. I have eyes in my head and a fully functional brain. Despite what Erudite might believe not all Dauntless are incapable of thinking for themselves. What my eyes and brain have picked up are all the signs of a man, you, being interested in a woman. Your reaction alone just confirmed what I already suspected. So here is how this is going to go, I am going to ask you some questions and you are going to be truthful with me. Understood?"

I nod tersely then vocally reply. "Yes, sir."

"Was your earlier assessment of the two initiates in question at all because of your emotional involvement with Kat Prior?"

By this time Max in front of his desk, leaning against it with his arms crossed over his chest and glaring down at me, watching me closely for even the smallest hint I might be trying to lie.

I'm grateful that I can at least answer this honestly.

"No, sir. I do not believe either of the Prior's to be threats by what I have seen so far. On the contrary, I think both of them will do well here. I can admit that of the two I have more hope for Kat and that would be in some part due to my connection to her. But mainly it is because from the beginning I have seen the potential that I quite frankly haven't seen in years since coming here."

He tilts his head to the side and looks at me for a moment longer before he nods. "I agree that she has potential. They both do. That's why their training to become a member must come first above all else. I'm glad you aren't trying to deny that it isn't in some part due to your emotional connection to her. Because of that fact it will be even more important for you to make sure that her place here in Dauntless isn't tainted by objections or rumors that could be raised."

"Her training and place here is my first priority, sir," I reply earnestly and with a growing sense of dread for where this conversation is going.

I don't know what I'm going to do if he orders me to stay away from Kat. I know I probably need to. I've known that from day one for the very fucking reasons he's laid out just now. I've just been incapable of making myself keep my distance from her.

"Good. Because if I get wind that you are using your influence and position as a leader to alter any of her standings or rankings, then you will both find yourselves among the factionless faster than you can blink. Am I making myself clear, Coulter?"

"Crystal, Sir," I reply evenly even though his threat has me bristling.

If he notices my anger he doesn't acknowledge it, instead, he nods then turns and walks away from me to the large window at the back of his office. There aren't many offices with windows in them and none as large or with the view that he has, but that's just one of the privileges being the senior leader of the faction.

He stands there with his back mostly to me, arms still crossed over his chest and look out that window in silence for a minute. It's torture waiting for him to speak again and wondering if he's about the let the hammer drop and order me to stay away from Kat until initiation is over.

He sighs and runs a hand over his face but doesn't turn back towards me when he starts to speak.

"It was brought to my attention that Kat might be able to help us get intel on the attack or at least a start for our investigation. That is why I ordered her to accompany Four tonight. I won't be giving you any further details other than that and the only reason I'm telling you this much is so you will understand the order I'm about to give you. One I expect you will not override or disregard."

He turns back towards me then, his eyes piercing me in place.

Here it comes.

"You are to go nowhere near those two or hinder them while they are outside of the compound tonight. I've given Four a strict time limit and he will have the initiate back in the compound by the appointed time. I have also instructed Four that no one outside of me and him would know what the real purpose of his trip is and everyone else, including you, would be told he is taking her along with him to check the status of a few of our cameras at the edge of our sector."

It takes a few seconds for me to process what he's said while I also wait for him to include anything else. During this time he moves back to his desk and takes a seat again. He leans forward with his hands steepled in front of him and eyes me, conveying that he's allowing me time to analyze what he just said. I also realize that there is meaning in the things he didn't say as well and that is also part of my order.

"Am I understood, Eric?" He asks me finally when he recognizes that I've picked up on his hidden message.

I nod as I reply. "Very clear, sir."

Max nods with a slight smirk. "Good. Now I believe you have training to oversee. As I understand it, a few of the scheduled fights are going to be quite a challenge for the initiates involved. I'm sure you will want to be present for those to make sure everything goes smoothly."

I hesitate in getting up at first, watching as Max seems to dismiss me by looking down at his desk then picking up a pen and begins to write on something. Noticing my lack of movement, he looks back up at me and arches an eyebrow at me questioningly. "Was there something further that needed my attention, Coulter?"

I frown and shake my head in the negative as I stand up. "No, sir." I turn after he nods then goes back to writing and I start to walk out of his office, only to stop as he calls out to me.

"Oh, and Eric...I expect that in Erudite you learned what the words discreet and discretion mean and when to use them, correct?"

I look over my shoulder at him and he's not even looking at me, but still at his desk and what he's working on.

"I did," I reply simply.

"Good." He replies just as simply. "Dismissed."

I leave then, softly closing the door behind me and standing outside of his office for a few seconds while I try and get my bearings.

I'm still in disbelief that Max was subtly giving his permission for me to carry on with my relationship with Kat. I knew if Jeanine found about it I could spin things so make it look like I was doing it in an effort to keep a close eye on her but I hadn't thought of how I was going to present it, Max. Is that why he's giving me the green light on things because it would be what Jeanine wants? I don't think that would be something Max would do but what other reason could he possibly have?

I'm in a tailspin of emotions and thoughts and don't know what to start with first but I know I need to get my head on straight before I head to the training room. I glance at my watch and see there isn't much time before training is set to start but there is enough that I can go to my office and try to unpack everything where I won't be disturbed.

When I'm in my office and settled in my chair I lean back and replay the entire encounter in his office. Starting from the second I opened the door to find Four there.

Despite what Max said, that it was him that gave the order, I know Four was the one that got Kat involved in the first place. He even said that 'it was brought to his attention', and it doesn't take a genius to figure out why Four was in his office. What I don't know is what Four said to convince him of Kat's ability to get anything when we haven't been able to make any headway.

Then it hits me exactly why Kat is being sent out with Four and where they will be sent to. The fucking factionless. The things she's told me about her experiences with them aren't exactly leaving me feeling any better than I was in Max's office, in fact, it's making me feel worse about her going out there with only Four as protection. It makes me want to do everything Max just warned me against. Which is why he probably issued the orders in the first place, because he knew that would be first instinct, to stop this from happening.

Then there was the unspoken and implied meaning in Max's orders. He told me just enough of what they would be doing and where they could be heading that he knew I would figure things out. He also made it a point of saying that I could go nowhere near them or hinder them at all.

So he wants Four to be able to carry through with his plans but he wants eyes on them too.

Now that I can fucking work with.

I'm going to need to get with Chase and go over things, come up with a plan. There are a few guys we could mobilize out in the field to be able to respond quickly should we need it, but I have a feeling we are going to need to rely on vid feeds.

I will follow orders and not hinder or stop them but I will be ready to go if I get even a hint of something going wrong and I'm getting her out of there. Orders be damned.

I cut it close in making it to the training room before it starts. Everyone is already there, Kat included. I know the second we spot each other that something is off. She's practically radiating anger at the moment and it doesn't ease much when she spots me and gives me a very small strained smile. I know from that it's not me she's pissed at but I can't for the life of me figure out what could have happened to have her this pissed off in so little time.

Until I see her looking at the former Candor Molly, and the one her sister is scheduled to fight, with pure murder in her eyes. Not that she knows that yet. The names haven't been written for the pairings yet. I glance in Tris's direction and see that even she looks off. Not as angry as Kat...but there is definitely some tension in her posture.

I watch their reactions when the names are finally written up and Molly is written beside Tris' name…

Both the girls have looks in their eyes that spell fucking trouble. I just don't know for who.

"Fuck my life."